United’s squad are aware that other Premier League squads stand to net significantly more for staying up this season.

Newcastle’s players – who shared a multi-million pound pot after winning promotion from the Championship last season – had been looking for a bonus sheet in line with the club’s top-flight rivals.

Newcastle had an issue with player bonuses after promotion in 2010.

Joey Barton claimed, after leaving Newcastle in the summer of 2011, that the club had attempted to “railroad” the players into signing a proposed bonus sheet that year.

“Newcastle, as a playing squad, were the only club in Premier League history not to sign a bonus sheet,” said Barton.

“We refused as a playing staff (to sign), as they tried to railroad the players into signing a bonus sheet.”

United manager Rafa Benitez will want the issue resolved well ahead of the September 10 game against Swansea City.

Benitez, left frustrated by the club’s failure to sign any players on transfer deadline day this week, will return to work next week. The 57-year-old met managing director Lee Charnley for a brief meeting on Thursday afternoon.